With the 2017 NFL Draft less than a week away, the Buffalo Bills are primed to land an impact starter with the 10th overall pick.

The Bills have several major holes on their roster that need to be addressed with their 10th overall pick. Currently, Buffalo is lacking a legitimate No. 2 wide receiver to pair with Sammy Watkins. The loss of linebacker Zach Brown left a significant hole at weakside linebacker.

Stephon Gilmore’s departure to the New England Patriots also left a gaping hole at cornerback, while the Bills are missing a true, starting safety in the backend of their secondary as well.

With so many needs and only six picks at their disposal in preparation for next week’s draft, it’ll be vital for Buffalo to select players that will offer value while also considered a team fit.

According to Pro Football Focus, one of the top safety prospects available in this year’s draft is Ohio State Buckeyes’ Malik Hooker, who is deemed a ‘team fit’ with the Bills.

“Hooker is one of the few top-of-the-draft players that the Bills should consider if they aren’t going to go with one of the top wide receivers with their first-round selection. Buffalo is in desperate need of help at safety due to a lack of both talent and depth, with Jordan Poyer (70.4 overall, ranked 70th among 90 qualified safeties last season) slated as the starting free safety and not much else behind him on the roster.

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If the Bills do end up selecting Hooker at 10th overall on draft day, he would provide an immediate significant upgrade to what Buffalo is currently trotting out on the back end of their defense. Not only would Hooker be a major upgrade talent-wise, but he’s also a nice fit for what coach Sean McDermott tends to run on defense.

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McDermott also likes to make use of the single-high safety — though not quite as much as Gus Bradley. McDermott used a single-high safety on 46.3 percent of the Carolina Panthers’ (where he was the defensive coordinator) pass-defense plays last season.”

Although Buffalo has reinforced the safety position through the signings of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer via free agency, the addition of a top-end prospect like Hooker would instill a playmaking and finesse element into the Bills’ secondary.

Hooker offers rare instincts, range and ball skills in pass coverage. In 2016 at Ohio State, Hooker racked up seven interceptions and four passes defensed while returning three interceptions for touchdowns. During that span, Hooker displayed a unique ability to thrive in single-high sets, where he would use his 6-foot-2 frame and his impressive football IQ to thwart opposing passing attacks.

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While he still has to clean up his tackling and run defense, Hooker’s capabilities in pass coverage are what make him such a special prospect in this year’s draft class. In Sean McDermott’s zone-heavy defense, Hooker would be allowed to roam and be given the opportunities to make plays in the passing game, making his transition to the NFL seamless in the hands of a creative defensive-minded coach like McDermott.

If Hooker happens to be available by the time Buffalo is on the clock next Thursday night, the Bills should not think twice about selecting arguably one of the best players available in this year’s draft.